Walking into the empty main office Friday early morning. Surprisingly I beat Leslie to the office the office I share with her and Tom. Setting my backpack down beside my chair and my coffee on the left side, I took a seat on my chair.
I unzipped my backpack and grabbed my folder that read "Public Management" and laptop. Opening my apple laptop, I pushed my square glasses towards my face and wrapped my hair into a nice pony tail. I started writing my essay, which was due in five days.
Working for Leslie was a handful. I had many projects to start and finish for her while multi-tasking between working at a coffee shop as a barista and graphic design for their website and taking online classes.
Taking a sip of coffee, I heard people walk into the main office. I sat down my coffee and continued typing ignoring other people walking in. However, that didn't go quiet as planned as I heard Tom coming in.
"Good morning Emma". He casually greeted.
Looking up, I gave a small smile and wave, quickly looking back down. Hopefully he got the message to not disturb me until the small meeting about tonight, which I happened to dread. I hate going to the Public Forum meetings. All people ever do is complain and I mean sometimes its necessary, but most of the time its ridiculous.
After a couple of hours, I finally finished the first three pages out of eight. I looked at the time and realized that the meeting was going to start in five minutes. It didn't bother me, since everyone shows up late at these small meetings, especially about the Public Forum.
I chuckled at the thought, as I grabbed my laptop and walked out of the office. As I entered the room, I saw people sit around the table. Quietly taking my seat, all attention went to Ron.
"Tonight is our next monthly community outreach Public Forum". Ron started to say.
"And that is tonight". Leslie blurted out excitedly
"That is tonight". Ron replied, trying to sound excited.
"Right". Leslie confirmed as if its the first time she heard it.
"Leslie will be running it" Ron spoke again, "we need two more volunteers. Who wants in?" Ron asked.
Everyone was dead quiet. Most of them looked around the room and Tom was on his phone. I looked over at Leslie who was trying to get two volunteers. Most of the time I could make it, but tonight was not a good night to make it.
"Tom, Emma" Ron mumbled out.
Crap just my luck of the night.
"Ugh fine" Tom replied unhappily.
I looked around the room, "I can't tonight" I mumbled out. being quiet and speaking out in a room full of people is not my strongest skill.
People looked right at me as if its there first time to hear me speak. Which to some of them it definitely was.
"You got a date?" Tom asked
Of course he'd be the one to ask me that in a room full of people.
"Nope, just busy tonight" I replied a little more confidently.
Which wasn't a lie. Ron and Leslie both know that I work on Fridays night at the coffee shop.
"Please Emma, you are the only person who would do it" Leslie urged on trying her hardest to convince me.
I grabbed my phone from the pocket and texted the only number who could get me out of work. Once I got the ok message, I looked up at Leslie.
"Fine, I'll go" I told her.
Ron sighed and got up to leave, meaning this meeting is now over.
"Thank you so much for volunteering" Leslie thanked as she left to go back to her office.
I turned to Tom, "You should thank me, at least your not going alone" I told him as he was still unhappy that he was forced to go.
"Thank you Emma" He thanked somewhat sweet.
I smiled and left the room.
Before I knew it, it was already time for the meeting. Grabbing my bag, I made my way downstairs where Leslie was waiting for Tom and I.
Getting into the car, I was in the passenger seat as Tom was in the back.
Leslie was in such a hurry to get there. She was always excited to go, especially when I came along. It was practically one of her favorite days of the year.
As we made it safely to the elementary school, I slowly got out. Seeing people walk in the school, I quickly followed Leslie and Tom to the back.
She led us inside and down the hall where the two brown doors lead to the auditorium.
"Here we go" Leslie commented excitedly as she pulled the doors open, "Its locked" She added with slight disappointment.
Tom was already on the phone with the person who had the ability to unlock the doors. The person rushed to the doors and fumbled with the keys, finally, managing to unlock the doors.
Once inside, we quickly sat down. I sat in the middle between Leslie and Tom.
"Thank you so much for coming out. What an amazing turn out" Leslie spoke in the speed of light clearly nervous.
Looking out to the crowd I saw about twenty people or less, which is an amazing turnout considering the fact that no one, except one person, looks like they want to be here.
"My name is Leslie Knope" Leslie continued slowing down a bit, "I am the deputy director of the parks and recreation department and tonight we will be taking some of your question as" she was interrupted as the lights started going off.
"Hello? Were having a meeting in here" She called out to possibly a person who was turning off the light.
"Does anybody have any questions about permits?" Tom asked the audience
I mentally wanted to slap him, but I didn't. However, Leslie led us to a small sized class room. We were all cramped in and being cluster phobic, it wasn't the greatest feeling in the world. However, at least I wasn't seated in the back of the room.
"I'm Leslie Knope and here with me is department member Tom Haverford and my assistant Emma Greystone. We are here to answer any and all of your questions" She introduced, "So fire away" She added.
And boy did they fire away. Most of their questions was complaining and rants. However, one person struck my attention.
"Hi, Hi I'm Ann Perkins, I'm a nurse and frankly I don't care about politics." She responded, which at the end of her sentence everyone started clapping, "Uh, but I'm here to talk about the abandoned lot on Sullivan street." She continued on.
"That seems like a good idea" Leslie replied, slightly interested.
"Its a problem, It almost killed my boyfriend." Ann told us straight, "There's a lot nearby my house, and a developer dug out a basement for some condos and then they went bankrupt. So there just this giant pit and its been there for over a year." She explained.
"12 month yes, go on." Leslie interrupted her.
"My boyfriend, fell in and broke both his legs." Ann started speaking again
"Ann let me speak to you for just a minute." Toms spoke up, "So your boyfriend fell into this pit right?" he asked stupidly. "Yes" she replied. "And um this guy is it pretty serious? Are you guys living together?" He started asking.
"Yes" she replied slightly confused.
"Oh wow, this must be pretty tough for you. I mean this guy doesn't seem to have a lot to start with and now both legs broken he's just weak having you take care of him. you probably feel like you have to move on." Tom can't seem to keep his mouth shut, which the look of Ann's face is slightly confused and uncomfortable, which is a sign that Tom needs to shut up, "Just to be more adventurous" Tom kept going until finally Ann cut him off.
"Are you- Are you actually hitting on me right now?" She asked slightly frustrated at the fact that he did that.
"Oh, Oh, God no. I'm actually married." He replied slightly panicky, "I'm just an open person and i like connecting with people." He tries to dig him self out of the hole "I'm just very comfortable around women, attractive women. I've spent a lot of time with them and I, I just don't know." He replied throwing himself back in the deep hole he can never escape from.
"Alright, i think Tom took a lot of our time at this meeting. Ann please keep going on your statement." I spoke up confidently annoyed at Tom and looking at Leslies face she isn't pleased either.
"Look the bottom line is, I've been trying to get this thing fixed more months and nobody's done anything. It's ugly, dangerous, and its government owned and you need to do something about it." She told us straight forward.
I like this women. She's honest and speaks her mind in an orderly manner. I think this is one of the best speeches I've heard in three years coming to this thing.
I look over to Leslie and I can see she has an idea forming in her brain.
"Ok, I'll do something about it. Yes, we will help you." Leslie replied positively.
"Is that a promise?" Ann asked a bit skeptical.
"It's more than a promise, it's a pinky promise." She replied, "I pinky promise all of you that I will help, and I will go to that location tomorrow and we will fill in that pit. After that we will build a park." She added.
After the meeting, Leslie pulled me over to the side.
"I need you to come with me tomorrow at the location sight." She told me.
"Leslie, you know I work on the weekends." I replied, "I can't keep missing work and you know that." I told her.
"I know, but can you get a brake for maybe one or two hours?" She asked.
I sighed, "I'll try, let you know by tomorrow morning." I told her.
"Alright." She agreed.
I walked towards my apartment, hoping she isn't displeased about me missing work. Plus I got to try for one or two, hopefully two hours, of missing work again.
A/N:
Hello! I hope you enjoyed my first chapter. Don't worry you will soon know who she's talking about sometime in the future. I will try and update soon, but I'm tired since its 3am. Good night my lovely readers or whatever your time zone is.
-Red